Jordan to fund restoration of Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem

Jordan’s king has announced that he will fund the renovation of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre — the Jerusalem holy site where Christians believe Jesus was crucified, buried and resurrected.

In a statement this week, the Royal Court said King Abdullah would pay for the project himself. The three major Christian denominations that operate the church — Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Armenian Orthodox — have agreed to cooperate in the restoration. Bishop William Shomali, the church’s vicar in Jerusalem, said in a statement released by the Vatican on Tuesday that the king’s announcement illustrates his “concern to preserve the heritage of Christianity.” Jordan controlled the Old City of Jerusalem until Israel captured it in 1967 and continues to play a role safeguarding Muslim and Christian holy sites.